Thread: Yesterday was International Day for Mine Awareness and I'm seeing lots of governments praising themselves for clearing #Afghanistan's mines and unexploded ordnances.
A few things to remember:

Directorate of Mine Action Coordination has recorded a total of 86 US abandoned firing ranges located in at least 16 provinces throughout Afghanistan.

63 out of 86 firing ranges are closed/cleared from all types of explosive ordnances, but a remaining 23, covering 546 square kilometres are still open and need to be cleared/released from the explosive hazards.

Five firing ranges covering 46 square kilometres, located in Bamyan, were left by New Zealand's military forces during their ISAF mission. New Zealand has committed to funding the clearing by 2020-2021.

However, many of the firing ranges haven't been cleared, putting people - including deminers - at risk.

Here's a positive story though within the mess:
Bamyan became the first province to be mine-free, and the job was mainly done by women. Here's my story, published last year: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/women-and-girls/first-afghanistan-province-declared-mine-free-thanks-all-female/
All info and numbers above from UNMAS.